Image sensor with MIPI interface targets netbooks and notebooks

Santa Clara, Calif. -- OmniVision Technologies has introduced the ultra-thin (3mm) high-performance OV7739 CMOSvideo sensor, developed specifically to address the low-light sensitivity demands of the fast-growing notebook PC market. The OV7739, with support for multiple interfaces including parallel and MIPI (mobile industry processor interface), provides a versatile platform for use in single and multi-camera applications including notebook PC/Netbooks and gaming applications. According to OmniVision, this is the first image sensor with VGAresolution to be introduced with the new MIPI interface.

Video conferencing and recording has continued to gain in popularity with businesses and consumers. According to leading third-party market research firm Techno Systems Research (TSR), 90 percent of notebook PCs and Netbooks will include an integrated camera by 2013. Unit demand for integrated cameras is projected to nearly double from 2009 to 2013.

"Video conferencing and recording is more popular than ever with tools such as Skype and YouTube. Our OV7739 is the first sensor to offer this specific combination of performance, features, versatility and form factor," said Nick Nam, senior product marketing manager for Notebook and Games/Toys at OmniVision. "By providing support for multiple interfaces, system designers can leverage the same electrical design across various products and market segments, significantly improving time-to-market."

The OV7739 is capable of operating at 30 frames per second (fps) in VGA resolution and 60 fps in QVGA resolution with complete user control over image quality, formatting and output data transfer. It provides full-frame, sub-sampled, windowed or scaled 8-bit/10-bit images in RAW RGB and YUV formats.

OmniVision boasts that it is currently the leading provider of CMOS imaging solutions to the notebook PC market with over 60 percent market share (source: TSR, June 2009 CCD/CMOS Image Sensor Market Analysis.) The OV7739 is immediately available in volume production.